Greek Verse:

Literal Alternative:

Instead of this, as much as in the darkness you have spoken in darkness (ignorance), in the light it is going to be heard and what toward the ear (understanding) you have chattered within the secret chambers, it is going to be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Hidden Meaning:

This verse is an interesting extension of what Jesus said to the apostles in Matthew 10:27. The same rules that he applied to himself in Matthew, he applies to his opponents here. This verse also adds a metaphor, "closets", not used in the Matthew version.

"Therefore" is not one of the common Greek words that means "therefore" but two words a preposition and a demonstrative pronoun that means something like "Instead of that". The preposition "opposite", "instead", "in place of", "equal to", "corresponding to," and "mutually." The demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "that". It is in the possessive form so "of that" or "of this".

The word translated as "whatsoever" means "as great as", ""as much as," and similar ideas of comparison.

The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among."

"Darkness" is translated from a Greek word that means both "darkness" and "in secret," but it is the metaphor for "ignorance." Since Christ is clearly using it in opposition to "light", so only "darkness" works here, but the other contrasts between "in secret/in public" "ignorance/knowledge" are implied. The previous verse used a different word that also means "secret" and "hidden". It is introduced by and article, "the".

The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among."

"Light" is a Greek word that means both "light" and "in public." It is a metaphor for "knowledge."

"Shall be heard" is translated from a Greek word that has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding.

The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, in a series, is best translated as "not only...but also."

The word translated as "that which" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.

The Greek word translated as "ye have spoken" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter", "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Christ uses it to capture the idea of "pass on," because that captures both someone gossiping and an oracle does. The word is somewhat self-effacing.

The word translated as "into" means "towards", "by reason of (for)," and "against."

The term translated as "ears" means "ear," things resembling a handle and is a metaphor for understanding.

The word translated as "ye have proclaimed" means "to act as a herald", "to proclaim," and "to declare."

The word translated as "shall be proclaimed" means "to act as a herald", "to proclaim," and "to declare." It is usually translated as "preached" in the Gospels but proclaimed almost always works better.

"Housetops" is translated from a Greek word that is the source of our word domicile. It has most of the same meanings as the word Christ usually uses for "house," but it also means the chief room of a house and the housetop.

Wordplay:

The double meanings of light and darkness also mean "intelligence" and "ignorance".

τῇσκοτίᾳ (adj sg fem dat) "Darkness" is skotia, which means "darkness", "dark", "gloomy," [of persons] "in the dark", "in secret," and "secret." It is a metaphor for "obscure,"and "the nether world," and was used as the opposite the Greek word gnome, γνώμη, meaning judgment, opinion, purpose and therefore also a metaphor for "ignorance."

τῷφωτὶ (noun sg neut dat) "Light" is from phos, which means "light", "daylight [primarily], "illumination [of things and of the mind]", "light [of the eyes], "window", "opening", "public visibility," and "publicity." Christ uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge," but in Greek it is also a metaphor for "deliverance", "happiness", "victory," and "glory."

καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."

κηρυχθήσεται (verb 3rd sg fut ind pass) "Shall be proclaimed" is kerysso, which means "to be a herald", "to summon by a herald", "proclaim", "call upon", "announce", "declare," and "command publicly." Only in the NT is it translated as "preach" or "teach pubicly." --